Rockford Park District envisions more than golf for Alpine Hills

ROCKFORD — Nature took over much of Alpine Hills Golf Course after it closed last year, but the Rockford Park District may reclaim the land that’s now covered with overgrown grasses and weeds.

Kevin Haas

ROCKFORD — Nature took over much of Alpine Hills Golf Course after it closed last year, but the Rockford Park District may reclaim the land that’s now covered with overgrown grasses and weeds.

District leaders want to transform the former course into a haven for young players and a center for winter activities like snowboarding, sledding and tobogganing.

When winter comes, they may even make their own snow “when Mother Nature doesn’t,” said Laura Pigatti Williamson, deputy director of capital planning and asset management.

The Park District discussed its vision for the future of the Alpine Hills at its meeting Tuesday night.

The Hansberger family donated the 52-acre facility at 4402 Larson Ave. to the Rockford Park District Foundation in the spring.

Alpine Hills closed in spring 2010 because erosion damaged portions of the course near Keith Creek.

The First Tee, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing the game of golf to young people, currently operates a training center on the driving range with assistance from the Park District.

The district plans to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to jump-start the development of the land.

Grants are expected to be awarded in 2012, officials said, which means the district is at least a year away, if not longer, from redeveloping the site.

First Tee would likely be contracted to operate the course, officials said.
District staff has worked with Lohmann Golf Design to redesign the course to focus on new players and youth programs.

The district plans to create a five- or six-hole course in its early phase of renovations. It should be an easy course that new golfers feel comfortable going to to learn, said Tim Dimke, the Park District’s executive director.

“If you’re intimidated, this is where you need to go, because there will be nothing intimidating about this,” he said.

Focusing on beginning and young golfers will help the district introduce the game to new players and teach them a lifelong recreational activity, said Ron Butler, deputy director of operations.

“We’re always trying to grow the game of golf in the Park District,” Butler said. “We want to provide a lifelong skill so that citizens of Rockford can continue to use our courses.”

The five-hole course could be a welcome change from the traditional nine- or 18-hole courses for people who don’t have the time for a full round, said Tim Miles, president of GolfVisions Management Inc., who was hired to assess all areas of Park District golf management.

“A five- or six-hole golf course/driving range may meet the demands imposed by today’s lifestyles, which are more than ever attuned to shorter time commitments to participate, organized structure, family ‘hang time’ and modest cost,” Miles said in a written report to the Park District board.

Summer activities could also include youth and adult fishing programs, camping, and hiking through some of the natural areas of the 52-acre plot.

“It’s a complete summer activity center that a lot of different groups can use, not just golfers,” Dimke said.

When the temperature changes, the district would welcome winter sports with space for snowboard trails, a toboggan chute, sledding and tubing.

Looking further ahead, it may even install a tow rope machine to give sledders an easy ride back up the hill.

District leaders anticipate the improvements will happen over several phases and funding will come from a number of sources, including grants, the sale of land and private fundraising.

The first phase of improvements, which would include renovation of the driving range, a five-hole course, paths, playground, fishing docks and winter activities like snowboarding and tobogganing, could cost about $890,000, according to district estimates.

The second phase could include three additional holes, tow rope or “magic carpet” to bring sledders up the hill, more pathways and other improvements and could cost around $750,000.

Staff writer Kevin Haas can be reached at khaas@rrstar.com or
815-987-1410.